Graphic Stories Cyprus is a non-profit organisation founded in 2015 and the creator of the annual Graphic Stories International Conference on Graphic Design and Visual Communication, based in Cyprus. As an independent platform, the conference promotes visual communication, creativity, visual literacy, and critical thinking, while encouraging dialogue around social design and contemporary issues. Through its international character, it also supports networking among local designers, cultural institutions, and creative communities in Cyprus and abroad. Each edition develops its own design language, remaining relevant both in theme and visual identity.

The visual identity of the 8th International Conference on Visual Communication, Graphic Stories, was developed in response to the theme of the international poster competition, “Tolerance”. The colour palette is based on black and yellow, complemented by white and grey. The main visual element is an imaginary tic-tac-toe grid formed by eight dots and one “X”, with the “X” symbolising diversity. In a world made up of dots, the “X” breaks uniformity while also giving meaning and substance to the whole. Due to the international character of the conference, I chose simple and neutral symbols that do not refer to any specific social, ideological, religious, or political group. In this way, the theme of tolerance is approached through an open and universal visual language that encourages inclusion and promotes diversity in social dialogue.

Each year, the conference adopts a new visual identity shaped by the theme of its international poster competition, allowing every edition to remain visually distinct, socially relevant, and connected to contemporary issues. The main event, including all conference activities, took place in Nicosia, Cyprus, while the poster exhibition also travelled to Barcelona, Spain, and Thessaloniki, Greece, significantly expanding the public reach of the project and giving the theme of “Tolerance” a stronger and broader voice.